Running back Stevan Ridley’s fourth fumble of the season, his third in as many games, resulted in the scoop and 60-yard score by linebacker Von Miller that led to the 24-point hole the Patriots dug before they rallied to their 34-31 overtime win over the Denver Broncos in the 14th meeting between quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

It was past the midnight hour at Gillette Stadium on Sunday when Ridley met the press, pointed a finger at himself and called the entire matter “sickening.”

Speaking to the media during a conference call on Tuesday afternoon, Patriots offensive coordinator-quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels admitted the situation must be addressed, but stressed that he still has confidence in the third-year running back.

“When things happen like this in back-to-back games or in this case a few games in a row, I think that you certainly have to address what you can address in terms of trying to fix the problem,” said McDaniels. “I have great confidence in Stevan as a runner. He’s been very productive in our offense. He’s done a lot of good things and at the same time obviously ball security is obviously the most important factor for our offense and our team when we have the ball.

“So we have to be part of the solution and we have to work with him. He certainly wasn’t the only one who put the ball (on the ground) or got the ball knocked off of him the other night.” The Patriots fumbled six times, losing three.

Ridley wasn’t the only one, but just one year after he ran for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns, it’s reached the point where he can’t even stay on the field. On Sunday, head coach Bill Belichick decided that Ridley’s night was over after he’d carried four times for 14 yards and one TD – for Denver, that is.

“For me, I think my team deserves better than what I’m doing out there and putting on the field,” Ridley said in the game’s aftermath. “It’s been consecutive weeks with putting the ball on the ground and, as a running back, you can’t do that. I’ve said that multiple times. I work too hard to make the small mistakes and I keep setting myself back and setting this team back.

“The offense depends on me … to go out there and get the job done and when I put the ball on the ground they have no option but to take me out and it’s sickening, honestly. I’m frustrated, but it’s part of the game. I think that as a player you’re going to have your ups and your downs, but the main thing is you just have to stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize at the end of the day.

Page 2 of 2 - “I’m not going to get too far down,” said Ridley. “I’m going to put a little more pressure on myself to go out there and practice and try to change up some things because I can’t keep doing this and it’s sickening.”

Regarding Ridley’s play going forward, McDaniels said: “Ultimately, Bill will decide how we utilize all our guys offensively and we want to try to give our team the best chance to win. So whenever that time is to put people in, to move them out, we’ve rotated backs all season. We’ve done that a lot.

“Look, everybody’s going to have an opportunity to help our team win and we have the obligation of coaches to try to help fix any issues that we have offensively. That’s what our job is and we’ve got to do a better job of it.”

Bodies in motion: The Patriots released defensive tackle Marcus Forston and defensive back Justin Green.

According to multiple reports, one of the roster spots will go to former Green Bay Packers-Jacksonville Jaguars tight end D.J. Williams.

In one other bit of news, the Miami Dolphins plucked defensive lineman A.J. Francis off the Patriots’ practice squad, signing him to their active roster.